Development of leaf nutrient contents during growth period of spinach (Spinacia oleracea L.) cultivated in different growing environments

Abstract

The development of leaf nutrient contents during growth period of spinach (Spinacia oleracea cv. Matador) cultivated in different growing environments was investigated in 2009. Experimental factors were growth stage (cotyledon, five real leaves maturity and harvest maturity stages) and growing environment (unheated glasshouse, growth chamber, open field). Early spring glasshouse growing gave the highest results followed by open field and growth chamber. The accumulation of phosphorus, magnesium, manganese, copper and iron increased parallel to the maturity of plants, the highest accumulation being observed at the stage of harvest. The contents of nitrogen, potassium, calcium and zinc reached the highest levels at the stage of 5(th) true-leaf; the lowest level was recorded at the stage of harvest except for potassium.